Description
Classic Ritz cracker beef meatloaf blends hearty ground beef with crushed crackers for a comforting meal. Crispy edges and juicy interior make you crave another slice of this home-style favorite that satisfies completely.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef
Dry Ingredients:
- 1 packet dry onion soup mix
- 1 cup (120 grams) crushed Ritz crackers
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Wet Ingredients and Binders:
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) whole milk
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C), creating an ideal cooking environment for the meatloaf.
- In a spacious mixing bowl, crumble Ritz crackers and blend with dry onion soup mix, creating a textured base for the meatloaf.
- Whisk the beaten egg and whole milk into the cracker mixture, allowing ingredients to meld and soften for several minutes.
- Incorporate Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, mustard, salt, pepper, and ketchup, stirring until the seasonings are evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
- Gently fold ground beef into the seasoned mixture, using a light touch to prevent compressing the meat and maintaining a tender texture.
- Coat a loaf pan with cooking spray, then transfer the meat mixture, carefully shaping it without pressing too firmly.
- Place the meatloaf in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, ensuring the center is completely cooked with no pink remaining.
- Remove from oven and let the meatloaf rest for 5 minutes, allowing juices to redistribute and making slicing easier.
- Slice and serve the meatloaf, revealing a flavorful, moist interior perfect for a comforting meal.
Notes
- Cracker Swap: Experiment with different crackers like saltines or graham crackers for unique flavor variations and textures that can add unexpected depth to your meatloaf.
- Moisture Magic: The milk and egg help keep the meatloaf incredibly tender and prevent it from becoming dry, ensuring a juicy and flavorful result every time.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use gluten-free crackers and check that your Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free to make this recipe suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
- Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the meatloaf mixture a day ahead and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld and making weeknight dinner preparation a breeze.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg